COGGLE (MIND MAP)

 Simple Collaborative Mind Maps for Teaching and Learning Activities by Coggle

How often do you create a mind map for studying?

Does making a mind map help you in studying?

Hello English!

Mind map is a thinking tool to develop activities by thinking in all directions, capturing various thoughts from various angles. Mind mapping develops divergent thinking and creative thinking. It makes it easier for people to place various information in their memory.

In the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) era, ITC helps in teaching and learning activities especially for writing. On this occasion, I will provide information about one tool namely Coggle in the form of Question & Answer. Let’s check it out!

Q1: What is Coggle?

Coggle is a web-based tool for creating and sharing mind maps and flowcharts. This tool is web-based, so it works online, there is nothing to download or install. Visit this link to try Coggle: https://coggle.it

Q2: Is Coggle free?

Coggle does offer a free package that allows you to access unlimited public diagrams. However, for private diagrams, only three will be available. This plan also comes with its core features and shared folders that you can use free-of-charge. If you are an occasional user of this program only, this package will suffice. However, if you want more extensive features and tools, you can purchase its paid subscriptions.

Q3: What are the features of Coggle?

The main features in Coggle are:

1.  Auto-arrange: to arrange one branch to another automatically.

2.  Pick color: to choose the color of the branch.

3.  Delete branch

4.  Copy branch to new diagram

5.  Drag to transplant branch

6.  Add branch

7.  Add to discussion: to add text or information about the branch.

8.  Drag to create link

Q4: Does Coggle provide templates and examples of mind maps?

You can find templates and examples of mind maps by browsing the Coggle Gallery in the dashboard display or searching public Coggle diagrams (search: site:coggle.it team building).

Q5: Are there other features that are an advantage for free users based on your experience?

Coggle provides present features to present mind map, you can share the link of mind map that you made to anyone, you can edit mind map in group and communication with your friend in message feature while group work, you can download mind map in some format such as PDF, image, visio flowchart, .mm file, and plain-text outline.

We are at the end of the Q & A Session about Coggle.

Here is an example of a mind map I have made using Coggle. The mind map is about Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Download my mind map through this link: Mindmap_Revised Bloom's Taxonomy

 

Example of creating a mind map using Coggle

Thank you, see you next time!

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PIXTON (COMIC)

 Promoting Student Literacy Skills through Reading Comics

www.pixton.com

Hello English!  

Reading culture is very beneficial for students who are in the learning process. The habit of students who like to read can increase students' knowledge in many ways. However, not infrequently there are still students who do not like it. It is the teacher's obligation to solve the problem. There are many ways that teachers encourage student literacy skills, especially in reading. One of the solutions is reading comics. Comic is a media that contains images and combined with text or other information in expressing ideas.

Which one do you prefer, reading full of text or reading with colorful pictures?

Of course, it depends on the age of readers.

In this session, technological advances have provided tools that help teachers to create their own comics. We can find a lot of ready-to-use tools on the internet. One of the tools is Pixton.

What is Pixton?

Pixton is an innovative educational tool for creating comics.

What are the features of Pixton?

These are the features provided by Pixton:

1. It is free for individual account

You can choose as educators or students to begin creating comics. I suggest you choose as educators. Because, you can share the link for everyone and download the comic pdf or picture format.

2. It lets users create their own comics

To create your own comic, you can explore Pixton. The features for free are limited, so maximize your ideas and free features that has been provided by Pixton to create interesting comic.

3. It lets you give text and speech bubbles to characters

This is the feature to add text in the characters of the comic. 

4. It lets you edit the shape and position of each comic panel

You can edit the characters to look close, big, full body or half body and so on. It depends on your creativity. For characters, you can also choose various kinds of expressions according to what you want.

5. It lets you add a background picture for the place of the comic.

There are some backgrounds for free that you can use to create comics. 

That’s all the features provided by Pixton, let’s create your own comic now.

Visit this link to create comic using Pixton: https://www.pixton.com/

As always, here is an example of a comic I’ve made using Pixton.

Here is the sample of my comic

If you just want to see my comic in full version, visit in this link: https://share.pixton.com/qvjnwqf

To get that comic, download it below.

PDF format: My Comic_Spending Time Together

Thank you, see you next time!

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HOT POTATO (QUIZ)

 The Easiest Way to Create Quiz Using Hot Potatoes Application

Hello English!

Have you had any experiences getting a quiz at school? Yeah, of course. Absolutely, you’ve ever got quizzes at school with all kinds of various quizzes. There are many benefits of quizzes for teachers and learners. Quizzes are one way for teachers to find out and measure students’ comprehension in a lesson, or usually are used for games to build interesting learning. In this modern era where technology is increasingly developing, it makes teachers must try to create a learning that is not outdated.

        On this occasion, I am going to introduce one of the applications for creating quizzes, namely, Hot Potatoes.

What is Hot Potatoes?

Hot Potato is the classic software for creating interactive web-based teaching quizzes. The Hot Potatoes suit consists of 6 applications: JCloze, JQuiz, JCross, JMatch, JMix, and the Masher.

Download Hot Potatoes in the link below.

https://hot-potatoes.en.uptodown.com

What are the features provided by Hot Potatoes?

1. Jcloze (gap-fill exercise) is a quiz in which words have been removed from a short piece of writing, and students have to write the correct answer in the empty space.

Display to create JQloze Quiz

Example of JQloze Quiz

2.  JQuiz (question based exercise) is a tool for making question-based exercises. Each quiz can consist of an unlimited number of questions. There are four basic question types: multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, hybrid questions, and multi-select questions.

Display to create JQuiz Quiz

Example of JQuiz Quiz

3.  Cross (crosswords) is used to make crossword exercises.

Display of create JCross Quiz

Example of JCross Quiz

4.  JMatch (matching exercises) is used to create matching exercises. Basically, this means that a list of items appears on one side, and each one must be matched up to an item on the other side. JMatch output comes in three types: standard, drag-drop, and flashcard.

Display of create JMatch Quiz

Example of JMatch Quiz

5.  JMix (jumble exercises) JMix is used to make jumble exercises. You can jumble the words in a sentence, or the letters in a word. Like JMatch, JMix has two output formats: standard and drag-drop.

Display of create JMix Quiz

Example of JMix Quiz

6. The Masher (building linked units of material) The Masher is a different kind of application from the others in the Hot Potatoes suite. It's intended to help you make larger units of materials, linked together.

Display of Create Masher

Here is examples of my Hot Potatoes that I’ve made including all of the types of the Hot Potatoes. Download in this link!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AqDobJmqZ1LCdQMjIMv5ugp8ZN8_PYFs?usp=sharing

or

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BXgnTdCEhLvfPf18zXk74FfP06-uxruf/view?usp=sharing (rar format)

 

Thank you, see you next time!

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TIKI-TOKI (TIMELINE)

 Memorizing Material Using Timeline for
Teaching and Learning Activities

Have you ever made a timeline?
What tools did you use to create a timeline? 

        Hello English! Do you like creating a timeline? Timeline is a plan or line showing the chronological sequence of events. I will show you one of the best tools to create a timeline. This is the Tiki-Toki Timeline. Have you ever heard of it before? Without any further ado, let’s check it out!

What is Tiki-Toki?

Tiki-Toki is web-based for creating beautiful interactive timelines. Tiki-Toki has the ability to blend traditional chronological mapping with pictures, videos and texts which provide a slick and professional-looking layout.

Visit this link to try creating timeline using Tiki-Toki:  https://www.tiki-toki.com

            Based on my experience, I found several advantages and disadvantages using Tiki-Toki:

What are the advantages of Tiki-toki?

        1. Tiki-Toki provides 3D Timeline

I’ve never found another website for creating a timeline that provides a 3D display. But, I found the Tiki-Toki Timeline. It is a really beautiful timeline. The 3D view is perfect for creating an eye-catching timeline. You can visit the link I gave you at the end of this article.

        2. Tiki-Toki provides a beautiful features to create timeline

You can add pictures, video, audio, and text. Tiki-Toki are not only designed to inform viewers but also to be giving interactive timeline experiences. Furthermore, Tiki-Toki allows you to create colorful categories for stories. And then, you can add a background image and set a color in your timeline. If you want to get more beautiful features, you have to register a premium account. Absolutely not free. 

        3. Tiki-Toki is easy to use

The features provided are clear. You just type the material in the right column. Tiki-Toki also provides tutorials that you can visit.

What are the disadvantages of Tiki-toki?

        1. Tiki-Toki Needs a complete date

Tiki-Toki provides date, month, year, and time. This is gonna be an advantage for your timeline if you sequence events clearly and completely. But, if your data for the timeline is not clear enough, this will be difficult for you. The solution I gave you is you have to find out complete data. I don’t recommend you manipulate the data. It is better for you to find any resources.

        2. Complicated to add picture or video

To add a picture or video will be complicated if your picture or videos are from your device or computer. Because, you need a link from the internet to add pictures or videos.

Here is a sample I have made. The timeline is about "The Kaleidoscope of Indonesian Curriculum in Post-Independence". Are you curious about that topic? You can download it at this link.

PDF file: Timeline_The Kaleidoscope of Indonesian Curriculum

Timeline link: Click this link!

Thank you, see you next time!

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ANIMAKER (VIDEO)

Building a Creative Learning Using
Educational Video Maker

http://www.animaker.com

            

        Hello English! Monotonous and book-based learning continuously without any kind of technology will make you bored. But, don’t worry. I have a solution for that problem. Do you like watching videos? What kinds of videos do you like to watch? I really believe that most of you’ll like it. You can imagine how interesting your study is using videos. You just need to sit down and watch that video, until you forget that you are studying. It looks so fun.

        Animaker is a cloud-based do-it-yourself (DIY) animation. The features that are offered in Animaker provide tons of features such as infographic, typographic, camera effects, screen effects, audio tracks, transitions, and more to add a pro-level feel to your video. If you want to get complete features, you must pay for it. But it’s okay, you can increase your creativity to create interesting animations with limited features. It sounds challenging.

        I am gonna show you how to create animation using Animaker. Remember that this tool requires an internet connection. Make sure your signal is stable, although autosave has been provided.

How to create Animated Video using Animaker:

STEP 1: Visit Animaker website! Click this link

STEP 2: Create account!

STEP 3: Click blank project and choose the size of your project!

STEP 4: Choose background, characters, images, video, music, text etc.

STEP 5: Pay attention in your timeline!

STEP 6:  Animaker also provides your project download, share, and mini tour. 

                (look at the top right corner)

STEP 7: Let's start create animation video!

Here is the example video I created using Animaker to help students understand the lesson. This video is about “How to describe people in the 7th grade of Junior High School”. I hope this video will help you to improve students’ knowledge about descriptive text.

Visit this link: https://youtu.be/Z6_M5G4xx8A

Or click the video below!

Thank you, see you next time.

Don’t hesitate to give a comment below.

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